The Wildcat bowling team traveled to Wonderland Lanes in Commerce Township for the first annual Richard Hochstein Memorial Invitational on Dec. 19.
It was 11 years ago that the Oxford Bowling program got started. Wonderland Lanes was a big part of that by hosting many weekly events,” explained Head Coach JR Lafnear. “The owner Richard Hochstein was a big supporter of the High School program. This March he past due to complications due to Alzheimer’s. Oxford was proud and honored to participate in the first Annual Bowling tournament to honor this pioneer of high school bowling.”
Oxford boys Varsity team bowled well and qualified 7 out of 22 very strong teams. The championship round was best 2 of 3 baker games. The boys bowled games of 237 and 232 in the first round. You would think that was enough but Clarkston bowled games of 258 and 247 to end the Varsity boys? day. Oxford had Luke Delong and Luke Meyer both medal. Delong had a 266 game and Meyer had a 260 and 673 series to be in the top 10.
? The guys tossed two great games and just got beat, our hats are off to Clarkston,” Lafnear added. “They went on to win the tournament. We had a real good day and that can’t be forgotten.?
The Varsity girls end up the number 1 seed after the 3 regular games and 4-baker game qualifying round. As like last week they moved on to the finals where Lake Orion was waiting. After winning game 1 177 to 160 they lost game 2 181 to 164. Game 3 was for the championship. Oxford made some late mistakes in the title game to gift wrap the title to Lake Orion.
? The girls were awesome all day,” Lafnear said. “We just missed a chance to close the title game out. We’ll be better for this but it still stings today.”
Earlier in the week Oxford beat Farmington 21-9.
The girls match was the most exciting,” Lafnear said.
After splitting baker games and losing game 1 of head up play by 21 pins, the Lady Wildcats were down 13 tom 6. In game 2 the Wildcats would rally to score a improbable come from behind win 16 to 14. Leading the way was Jr Megan Kessler with games of 203 and 214. Sr. Co-captain Mackenzie Janseen had games of 192 and 202. Scoring big match wins in game 2 was Sr. Anne Johnson and Freshmen Claire Sandstrom. Abby Pappas bowled a nice 182 game to help in the comeback victory. The girls are now 2 wins and 0 loses on the season.
“This was a incredible comeback by the girls tonight,” he added. “Harrison is a very good team and to get down and come back to win is fantastic. The girls showed great heart and determination.?
The boys had some excitement of there own Thursday night. After Steam rolling Harrison in baker games 213 to 181 and 210 to 159 the Wildcats came out hot in head up play. Eric Armbruster had a 222 followed by Carter Anolick with 225,Tristan Boice 219, Luke Delong 202 and Sophomore Christian Cartner shot a outstanding 279 game.
Christian had 11 out of 12 strikes and keep bowling in game 2 with a 245 game. At one point Cartner had 13 strikes in a row over the 2 games. Also bowling well in game 2 was Luke Delong with a 220 and Carter Anolick with a 214. The Wildcats won the Match 21 to 9 to move to 2 wins and 0 loses on the season.
‘This was the best I’ve seen our guys bowl all year,” Lafnear said. “It was nice to see them step up against a quality opponent and shoot well.?